James MacMillan: Christmas Oratorio
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Recorded at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on 4 December 2021
Producer: Andrew Walton, K&A Productions
Engineer: Deborah Spanton, K&A Productions
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes Ltd
Commissioned by the London Philharmonic Orchestra with the generous support of The Boltini Trust, NTR Zaterdagmatinee, Radio 4’s concert series in The Concertgebouw Amsterdam, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Total playing time: 94:10
LPO – 0125
Made in Lithuania
℗ London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd
© 2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd
CD: James MacMillan: Christmas Oratorio
James MacMillan Christmas Oratorio
Mark Elder conductor
Lucy Crowe soprano
Roderick Williams baritone
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Pieter Schoeman leader
London Philharmonic Choir
Composed in 2019 and captured here in its 2021 UK premiere performance, James MacMillan’s Christmas Oratorio finds both mystery and splendour in the most familiar of sacred stories: the birth of Jesus. Embracing a Scots Gaelic lullaby, English poetry, Latin texts and Bible passages all recounting the Nativity, MacMillan deftly weaves together these strands in his trademark expressive and immediate language, reflecting both his Scottish roots and his deeply-held Catholic faith, to create a deeply moving and powerful work.
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The spiritual charge is made palpable, its heady mix of wonder, trepidation and profound mystery stirringly captured.
Terry Blain, BBC Music Magazine, December 2022
The most rousing musical present currently on offer … As for Elder, the orchestra and the superb LPO choir – all of them seem on fire.
The Times
This superb performance is all-round impressive, with the LPO in magnificent form – the performers galvanised by Mark Elder’s inspiring conducting, the music brought to life.
Colin Anderson, Colin's Column
A vivid recording captures MacMillan’s seasonal spectacular in its full glory.
The Financial Times
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